At the park again

[EricJones]

What do you do at the park....do you ignore strangers when you see them...do you say hi? I'm not sure because it's been awhile since I've been out and about.

[kenster1]

I say hello to just about anyone and everyone most of the time even strangers as it`s nice to be nice.

[EricJones in reply to kenster1]

But what if youre afraid of them?

[kenster1 in reply to EricJones]

it can obviously be difficult if you have a genuine fear but even that hello might ease some of those fears and make you feel a bit stronger.

[EricJones in reply to kenster1]

One person said hi to me...but it was in the bathroom lol...thought it was a bit weird

[Agora1]

Eric, I think as you start interacting with others with a "hi" or a "smile",

it may help you feel more comfortable within yourself.

You'd be surprised how many lonely people appreciate a kind person. xx

[EricJones in reply to Agora1]

How do you just stand next to a stranger without it getting awkward?

[BrainIsFull in reply to EricJones]

Maybe remind yourself that you are not the center of other's attention. Each person is likely focused on themself. Then remember to breathe. And maybe try to step back and look at the situation as if you are an observer.

[Doglove24]

I usually just smile or keep my head down.

[EricJones in reply to Doglove24]

Smiling is too hard for me to do....of I have to say hi...then I do it begrudgingly lol haha

[CL3V3R-G1RL]

I usually just walk around the track listening to my music or talking on the phone with my friends. If someone says hello to me I say hi back & keep on going.

[Mohammad-341]

I generally say hi and try to speak to them

[MaggieSylvie]

Honestly, Eric, I don't know. In the park? Well, people often go there in pairs and are oblivious to others around them, so no. On the other hand, you might live in an area, like I do, where it is the thing to do when you meet neighbours on the road, or even cyclists speeding past you. It depends what seems the norm in the area. So, it's best to just observe, and if someone says Hi to you, say hi back. It's a tricky one.

[EricJones in reply to MaggieSylvie]

so kind of feel out my surroundings?

[MaggieSylvie in reply to EricJones]

yes - feel out your surroundings. If you look friendly, people will at least smile at you. You don't need to get involved in a conversation, just to acknowledge another human close by to you is nice.

[EricJones in reply to MaggieSylvie]

all these things I cant do easily

[MaggieSylvie in reply to EricJones]

Many people don't smile or say hello. That's alright.

[Teaching]

You can say hello or decide to ignore. If you feel like saying hi, do it.

[EricJones]

I it seems clear to me that none of you have social anxiety..it appears you don't know what its like! Saying hi to people isn't just something I can do naturally

[MaggieSylvie]

"To thine own self be true". You don't need to do anything that doesn't come easily to you.